At the end of Krong Kampong Chhnang we see the “Ship of Life in Cambodia”. It brings medical care to regions, where the population can not afford a trip to a far away doctor. It thus makes a significant contribution to the public health. However, one also pursues quite clearly missionary aims and tries to convert the people to the Catholicism. We find this somewhat questionable.
Shortly after, the water surface is expanding more and more, and one can hardly distinguish between water and land. We have reached the Tonle Sap Lake. It is a unique natural paradise.
As from June, with the beginning of the rainy season, the area of the lake expands from 3,000 km² to 25,000 km² until September and its depth increases from 3 to 14 m. During this time the flooding of the Mekong pushes into the lake and fills it.
We pass fishermen who lonely do their job on the lake, without seeing land all round. Likewise we see floating houses, moored at a few m² earth. People are living their lives on the open water and hardly set their foot on shore.
The expanse of water extends as far as the eye can see. A difference to the sea is not recognizable.
The tiger python, one of the largest snakes in the world, can be found here. It is also not unheard of that sometimes one of these animals has been looking for a dry place in a fishing boat.
At the northern shore of the Tonle Sap lake, the Siem Reap river flows into the lake. A floating city has settled in the muzzle area, but our boat passes by.
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More and more huts appear on the shore until we reach a bigger water basin, after approx. 3.5 km.
A jetty is in sight, but the boat moors with the bow directly on the loamy shore.
Immediately a lot of young men push on board. They offer their services as a carrier. After the baggage has been placed in the stern of the boat, it is hardly possible to bring it to the water’s edge. The situation relaxes only after some time. 
Our booked hotel has sent a shuttle, that takes us comfortably to the center of Siem Reap, which is approx. 9 km away.
We are approaching the center of the high culture of the Khmer and can hardly wait to explore these testimonies of an earlier civilization.
See also >>> From Phnom Penh to Siem Reap by Speedboat – Part1
Next >>> Magic Sunrise in Angkor Wat – Siem Reap
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